News Story #4 - Close Call

Michael Pitalo, a 52-year-old production artist has been commuting on the Muni for 15 years. He takes the L-line Muni streetcar at the Embarcadero Station in San Francisco to hitch a ride to his home in the Castro. Yesterday, at 6 p.m., for Pitalo and the other passengers on board the L-line - and for another trying to board - this ride home was not like any other.

As the car prepared to leave the station, Pitalo and others noticed that a man that was attempting to board had his hand stuck in the door and was on the outside looking in.

“As the train began to move, people began to scream in panic as the man ran alongside the train,” said Pitalo. He added, “As the train sped up, the man stumbled and was dragged along the platform.”

The passengers inside the car tried everything they could to free the man. They pushed the emergency call button, yanked on the ‘request a stop’ cord, and clawed at the emergency release for the door. But the doors did not open and the train did not stop and things only got worse as the man approached the wall at the end of the tunnel opening.

Finally, a passenger pulled the emergency release door for another door and brought the train to an immediate stop.

“The train stopped with the trapped man only inches away from the wall,” added Pitalo.

Muni spokesperson Maggie Lynch said streetcar doors are not like designed like elevator doors, which open if you insert your hand. She also added that the incident and the train operator’s response are under investigation. She did not release the man’s identity but said that he refused medical attention. A maintenance worker took 15 minutes to reset the emergency brake.

Pitalo said the man appeared to be in shock as he stood on the platform. “The man was finally able to pull his hand out, and he slowly moved back into the crowd, cradling his arm in hand.”